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Detail Pages
The Potting Shed Pub, Malmesbury
Crudwell
Postal town: Malmesbury
SN16 9EW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Potting Shed Pub
An attractive looking whitewashed stone built pub on the main road north of Malmesbury, there’s a small garden to the side and a large car park at the rear which was bursting at the seams with Range Rovers and such like on our recent lunchtime visit.
Internally it’s a good size, with a long room running along the front of the pub, small snugs at either end and an extension in to some sort of barn like building at the rear. Décor wise it’s quite attractive with quarry stone style tiling on the floor, plenty of beams on the low ceiling and much exposed stone walling. Elsewhere the walls were whitewashed with dark blue wood panelling on the lower part, whilst a stone fireplace with a wood burning stove was a nice touch. The snugs were a cosy looking spot, with the one to the left having parquet wood flooring, but otherwise broadly similar in terms of décor. The barn extension at the rear wasn’t as cosy, but was still quite attractive with whitewashed stone walls, numerous black and white prints on the walls, many with an animal theme, and some old wooden wheelbarrows that had been converted in to light fittings.
Food is very much the focus here though with all tables being reserved, and the only option for drinkers was either standing at the bar or squeezing on to one of the bar stools. That said, the food was all pretty good, I enjoyed my twice baked Double Gloucester soufflé to start and a main course of pan-fried cod, sauté new potatoes, fine beans, shrimp and caper butter. It was predictably expensive though, with two courses for two and a couple of drinks from the bar coming to just a few pennies short of £100.
Beers on tap were Adam Henson’s Rare Breed from Butcombe, Ramsbury Gold, Stroud OPA and Uley Bitter, the latter of which went down well. Ciders meanwhile were Dunkerton Craft and something from South West Orchards. Overall, a very nice pub, but not ideal as a purely drinking destination unless you time your visit so that it doesn’t coincide with the food service.
On 31st December 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2107 recommendations about 2006 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Potting Shed Pub
A large roadside pub around 300 years old, restaurant-led but pretentious and expensive. It was originally called The Plough. There are extensive gardens, very pleasant and well-kept, and there is plenty of parking. Inside, there are oak beams, a single L-shaped bar with a tiled floor and a large stone fireplace, and it all felt a bit artificial, an image supported by the food being served on bits of old driftwood and enamel dishes, very 2000s, and still naff. That said, the food itself was freshly cooked and very good, though predictably expensive. The ambience was slightly marred by screaming children running loose. The staff, who were pleasant if a little functional, did very well to keep their cool. There were 4 fork-handle pumps on the bar, another little artifice, but the ales were real enough and in very good condition. Ramsbury RPA, Butcombe Original, Stroud Budding and Stroud OPA, al very enjoyable though again very expensive. I’m not sure I’d rush back unless I were bringing a nonagenarian relative out for a treat.
On 4th August 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3696 recommendations about 3657 pubs]